READING 4: KOREAN CHRISTIANITY UNDER JAPANESE OCCUPATION
1. Why might Korea under the Confucian Chosŏn dynasty have been an especially fertile ground for Christianity to take root?
Confucian Choson was going to be a hard life for "chun min"s who are low class people. Chun mins will look for opportunity to improve their life and want equality. Men in Choson dynasty was considered to be more superior than women. Men had so much advantage in life. Women wanted equality therefore chun mins and women supported christianity, which had equality. This was the reason why Christianity started to spread.
2. What other religion that existed in Korea might have appealed to lower classes in a similar manner as Christianity? How might this other religion have been hindered in attracting new followers?
People would have thought that they would want a Taoism ( wanting the wu wei ) since the time was very corrupt by changing the dynasty, low classes would have serious damage. Therefore they would want to taoism wanting to be relaxed. Also they would want to strong government to never get corrupt or never to fall down such as legalism.
3. Why did the government care which religion people practiced?
Reason for this is because if people started supporting christianity even more there will be an revolution low class people wanting equality which wouldn't be good in Korean government which had social level system.
Chart Oct/11/2011
Reading number and Title
Period being addressed
Number of Christian s
Three major (the power of three, sometimes you get two sometimes four) points drawn from this period
1. Origins of Korean Church
1500 ~ 1800
few dusen
Hideyoshi, catholic leaders, brought the fist contact to Korea.
YI Sung Hun ( Peter ) brought Christianity in Korea. - He sat up the first church.
2. Growth of Christianity
1780s 1880s
23,000
3. Introduction of Protestantism in Korean
188s - 1910s
20,000
Korean Community suffered during 19th century, Korean merchants set up small group in korea. Dr. Horris trasfered a church from China to Korea. Also people translated Christianity in to Han Gel. This lead 천민 since they could only read Han Ga but they can read Han Gel. He came as a physicians/doctors. Spread Christian ( schools and hospitals ).They had easier.
4.
1910 - 1945
about 48% 15 / 33 Korean Leaders were Christians.
Christianity , Japanese didn't favore Christianity, However Korean did so Korean Church was still kept on even if Japanese try to stop. Japanese people 야쿠신자 to Korean
5.
1945 - now
1.5 million - 23 million
After Korean War , out of resources / Christians helped Korean.
1. In Han Fei's ideal state what is the supreme governing authority, the will of the ruler or the law?
Han Feil's ideal state is about the idea of government,law and leader being very strong. Being strong, making nobody to go against the ruler, ruler making the laws, not allowing anybody to work alone ( meaning nobody to make up power for themselves. Also to have strong country. Laws are only made by the ruler and it makes the ruler and the country to be strong and covers the bad look of the country and the ruler. If laws are strong the country is strong, if laws are weak the country is weak and there will be people who tries to be powerful. Making the law powerful and make the law go into people's mind so that there will be nobody trying to gain power. Also to have the strong power government and leader, leader is a picked by their capability. Law is grabbing the people tight.
"Any ruler able to expel private crookedness and uphold public law, finds the people safe and the state in order; and any ruler able to expunge private action and act on public law, finds his army strong and his enemy weak. So, find out men following the discipline of laws and regulations, and place chem above the body of officials. Then the sovereign cannot be deceived by anybody with fraud and falsehood...."
2. What are the "Two Handles" and how important are they to a legalist state? Why must the sovereign never surrender control over the two handles?
"Two Handles" means chastisement and commendation, way how ruler controls his people with power. It is important to legalist state because it means to inflict death or torture on people who needed to be taken care of (culprits), and to reward, encourage people who deserves, ( commendation ). It forms an order and to straighten people's mind to get motivated to be commendation who get's reward rather than culprits who get's torture and death. The sovereign should never surrender control over the two handles because it's the key element which keeps people in order. With out two handles the ruler will have no power since nobody is going to be afraid of going against the ruler. He will immediately lose power.
3. What roles do individuality and private initiative play in Han Fei's ideal state?
Individuality and private initiative play will allow people to make people not only get responsibility on their life on following government law, if they don't their going to be one who will get punished. People will be talking care of themselves more, and think about their act before they proceed to action. People will get a straight mind not wanting to be the culprits.
4. Why do you think Legalism appealed to some people?
I think that Legalism appealed to people because it formed some kind of order in society. People following the law. People who are living with bad people ( criminal ) under so law, those people will get appealed to Legalism since they will get separated from those bad people. Also it will be appealed to rulers who wants the strong powerful law. Also people will want it because they will get power leader and powerful country.
5. Imagine a series of conversations among a Daoist, a Confucian, and a Legalist. How would each respond on the following issues: What is the purpose of good government? What role does morality play in formulating law? What are the qualities of a superior ruler? The proposition "Might makes right."
Confucian will say that good government is people obeying the government. However if government is not good enough people can turn back on them. In morality play in law will be effective since people have to respecting other people. Such as husband should respect wife and wife should respect husband therefore the law could be no connection between other people being more than friends. The qualities of superior ruler will be a person who is very smart ( does not matter if the person was not from noble family ). Person who can lead people and make the country smart enough to keep the country away from getting corrupted ( no crime ).
Daoist will say that good government is a government which makes people living in relaxed and the government which makes the world flow like a cycle of water. Giving everybody a chance to achieve what they want. Not trying to make people struggle in their life to change things. Morality will be people just following their life path with out changing the way. Meaning just to follow laws, and laws. For qualities for superior ruler must be wise, who tries to make the country strong and organized but not a person who will struggle and try to change the world and person who does not have greed. Such as the middle path in Buddhism.
Legalist will believe that the government with strong and organized law will be powerful. Also a government with punishment and reward to people who deserves. About the morality, it will be very straight. People who are criminals receive death and torture, people who did honorable act will get rewarded. To be a leader, leader needs to be strong and smart, and also chosen by people. The leader should be very powerful on his people with no mercy. Leader who is very sharp Also leader should motivate people to have a responsible life.
Assignment 2
Go to the Essential Quotes of Taoism above and read through them. Be sure to note down answers to the following questions. (Be prepared to share your answers):
1. In Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?
This quote reminds me of Christianity. Having an idea saying that mystery of Mysterious is the passage way of indescribable marvels. There are also few other parts from Tao te Ching. Tao te Ching talks about the idea of earth and heaven. How the space between earth and heaven was "inexhaustible". Also how people should not be selfish for their own good, if we don't be selfish there is peace."The reason why heaven and earth can live long and endure is that they do not live only for themselves. Therefore, they can produce perpetually." This idea is similar to an idea of people loving and thinking about each other.
"If one is a king, one can, be a king." This is simlar to Church idea of pope. Pope was the person who can only talk to god.
2. See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?
This passage gives us a good idea what Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have in common. "Not paying attention to the desirable keeps the hearts of the people from disaster." Also idea of if people stop being selfish there will me peace. Meaning to get rid of mind wanting something and there will be peace. Similar to the idea of middle path in Buddhism. "Always cause the people to be without knowledge or desires; Cause the intelligent ones to not dare act." This is an idea of Taoism, not trying to solve with knowledge. Also and idea of respecting men, which is a simliar idea to Confucianism.
3. In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?
I think this passage is mainly trying to say empty your mind, getting rid of stress in our life, not thinking but just to rest our mind. Without a lot of stress and thinking about our life our body will be able to become stress free meaning being health, which is reflected on the passage "strengthening the bones? I also think that this passage means to gain wisdom.
Also part of this sentence I believe that this is some how related to "The Wu Wei". Just leaving things where it should be and eventually problem will be solved. Idea of having relaxed mind.
4. Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.
Confucius government was more open minded in a sense. Meaning that it was pro- to every body instead of pro- to only rich people. Confucius government believed on everybody is equal. And everybody is good according to Mencius and mandate of heaven. Even if a person was poor but if the person was smart; the person should have an opportunity to be rich or achieve their goals. If poor is smarter than rich than poor is superior than rich. Also Mencius said that everybody is equal, meaning that if there was a crime in a country then it's not the criminals' fault but the world is corrupted. Also if government is corrupted people have right to abandon the government.
I believe that Lao Tzu's government idea is not open minded and only beneficial to few people. They are talking about how novel should be novel for long time, rich should be rich for long time and how few people can achieve glory. There is a part "The poorer the people; The more sharpened tools the people have" this gives me an idea that poor people are like tools. This government system sounds like Communism ( corrupted one ).
5. Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious?
I believe that Lao Tzu is trying to convey the idea of going beyond what we have now. "Being frugal ... extend one's territory" This is meaning not only to expand our territory but power. "lead... is sure to end in death" I observe is quote in many ways. One of them is saying that even if you are king or rich you will eventually die. The other idea is inorder to be king or rich you have to have a risk of dying. Dying from losing everything they have or dying from others who wants to "extend one's territory". Lao Tzu in my opinion he is trying to say that people who are ambitious, try to achieve their dream as much as they can. However do not go of limit or try to achieve dream which a person could not handle.
Assignment 1
Taoism
Why does the author choose a butterfly?
Butterfly is like an idea of cycle where it goes through changes. Butterfly is first caterpillar and it becomes butterfly. This stage is repeated forever just like an cycle.
What is the importance of the water cycle?
Water cycle is important, it's idea is very important. Idea of water going around and around, rain, going to ground, evaporate and rain again. This gives an idea of how human's life goes round and round. Meaning that human's life is like water cycle.
What is the point about the 'man raising melons'?
This is an idea that life is like an cycle. Poor could be rich, rich could be poor. Your Rank in life is going to change. Even if your are in royal family some day you could be in low class family.
What is the author attempting to convey to the reader?
Reader is trying to say that human's life is in cycle. Everything is going to change, nothing is going to stay the same. Just like an Butterfly
09/26/11 Tao of Pooh
Tao of Pooh Questions
What is the significance of the painting Hoff describes named The Vinegar Tasters? (2)
The painting Vinegar Tasters did not just signify three men tasting vinegar. The expressions on their faces represented the Three Teachings of China. The vinegar they are tasting represents the Essence of Life. The three masters are K’ung Fu-tse, Buddha, and Lao-tse.
What is the theme of life according to Hoff’s interpretation of Taoism? (5-6)
The theme of life according to Hoff's interpretations of Taoism is to work with life’s circumstances, Taoist understanding changes what others may perceive as negative into something positive.
How does Hoff explain the “uncarved block” metaphor? (10)
Hoff explains the "uncarved block” by not getting into details because he does not want to confuse matters any further. Also, he says it would only be an intellectual idea that could be left on the intellectual level and ignored. Things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed.
What is the secret message of the “uncarved block?” (2)
a. The secret message is not to think too much and get stressed out, but to indulge and enjoy life.
What was the main conflict between the Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff? (24)
a. The Confucianists were bunch of philosophers hoping to reach jurisprudential perfection, and the Taoists thought that was just too much.
Which of Milne’s characters represent Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff?
Rabbit, owl, and the Eeyore represents Cofuciust. They acquire knowledge in sake of acquiring knowledge. However, the taoist, pooh, is simple minded and lives life.
What is Hoff’s opinion of Confucianist scholars? (26)
Busy ants spoiling the picnic of life, rushing back and forth to pick up the bits and pieces dropped from above.
What does Hoff say about knowledge vs. experience? (29)
He says that the two are not necessarily the same thing. The knowledge that comes from experience is more valuable that the knowledge itself.
What do most scholars blame for problems in the world? Why isn’t it justified? (32)
Most scholars blame the mind of the Uncarved Block known as Ignorance for problems in the world. It is not justified because the problems are cause itself, either directly or indirectly, through its own limitations, nearsightedness, or neglect.
What is the difference between “cleverness” and “Inner Nature?” (38)
The “cleverness” has a limitation with inaccuracy of passing time as it does not look very deeply into things. Cleverness does not make someone unique. The “Inner Nature”refers to the idea that everything has its own place. When people realize and respect their Inner Nature, they know where they belong. This is beyond the intellectual mind of cleverness.
Why is it important to discern your own Inner Nature? (41)
It is important to recognize one’s Inner Nature because it teaches them where they belong and where they do not fit in. A positive factor for an individual can be a disaster for another individual. Therefore, it is important to know where one belongs.
Explain Hoff’s interpretation of the Chinese quote: “One disease, long life; No disease, short life.” (48)
Hoff interpret this as those who can identify their problems and take care of them will live a longer life than the others who believe that they are healthy and do not have any weaknesses. In other words, weakness can be an important factor in a life.
What does Hoff mean when he states that we must learn to “work with Things As They Are?” (50)
Hoff means that one must face and realize their limitations and weakness. One must work with these things which means to accept them rather than working against them which is rejecting one’s weakness and limitations. One’s limitations can be one’s strengths.
What happens to people who do not listen to their Inner Nature? (57)
If people do not listen to their Inner Nature, they will not understand themselves. Hence, they will have low self-esteem and be dependent on others.
What is the Way of Self-Reliance? (57-8)
The way of Self Reliance is realizing what we’ve got to work with and what works best for us. This may possibly include identifying the weakness and struggles we have and working with them.
How can we change ourselves effectively through the principles of Taoism? (58)
We can effectively use the principles of Taoism by not getting rid of our weakness and things that we don’t like. Rather, by changing them into other things or using them in beneficial ways can be effective.
What is the Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way” according to Hoff? (67-8)
The Wu Wei literally means "without doing, causing, or making." Basically, this means that you should not meddle in other people's business. In order to achieve Wu Wei, one must learn to work with one's "Inner Nature" and reach the effortless level with natural laws.
How does the quote, “Tao does not do, but nothing is not done,” explain Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way?” (70)
This quote explains the Wu Wei by saying that even though Tao does not do anything, it does not mean nothing is accomplished. By not reacting and doing nothing, Tao achieves peace with the natural laws and goes with the flow of things. He does not force anything unnaturally and lets things work in their own way. In that way, he achieves what needs to be done.
How does Tai Chi reflect Wu Wei or Taoism as a martial art? (87-8)
Tai Chi reflects Wu Wei and Taoism as a martial art by following similar principles. For example, in Tai Chi, one’s objective is to weaken the opponent by reflecting back the energy sent by the opponent. It is not a physical combat, but rather doing nothing and going with the flow of things to accomplish the defeat of an opponent.
Are you a Bisy Backson? (94)
I guess you could say that I am a Bisy Backson in some ways, but not entirely. I don’t regard myself as someone who spends time trying to save time, but rather someone who lives to make the best of things in life and keep looking forward. I don’t believe that “progress” is the only way to move forward in life. I value development as a person as well, not just material goods and physical progress like a Bisy Backson.
What is the Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff? (103-104)
The Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff is that first, the Miserable Puritans came and worked themselves to death and were succeeded by the Restless Pioneers who too worked themselves to the bone thus introducing the Lonely Cowboys who were always off looking for something in the distance. And from these ancestors came the modern day Bisy Backson.
How does the Bisy Backson waste time by trying to save it? (108-109)
The Bisy Backson wastes time by trying to save it by not realizing the fact that time cannot be “saved.” Time can only be spent. By trying to save time, he wastes even more of it because he does not get as much as he put into it. For example, if he spent 24 hours trying to save 3 hours then he would have wasted a total of 21 hours.
What is the Youthful Immortal? (108-9)
The Youthful Immortals are Taoist people of all age levels who are known for their youthful characteristics in attitude, appearance, and energy. Instead of living only 40 years, these Youthful Immortals could live up to 80 to 90 years.
What makes us happy in life the goals or the process we go through to reach the goals? Why? (111)
The thing that makes us happy in life is the process which we go through to reach the goals because the goals that we reach do not keep us happy in the long run. For example, with the honey example, the final enjoyment of eating the honey at the end was not what makes Pooh happy the most. It was the enjoyment of the process that he went through to get that honey that made him the most happy in life. The taste of honey does not last forever, but the experience of getting the honey does.
What is the significance of The Stonecutter? (118-9)
The significance of The Stone cutter is that you should be satisfied with the life that you are given. You shouldn’t pursue something “greater” than yourself because you are greater than yourself already.
The significance of The stonecutter is that knowing how to value their own benefits are going to take some time.
Explain the significance of the following line from the Tao Te Ching: “From caring comes courage.” (128)
The significance of this line is that courage does not come from the knowledge that you possess. Courage comes from the character of the heart, not from the cleverness in one’s head.
People who cares a lot has a lot of wisdom, meaning that people who does not care are people with out wisdom. Unlike knowledge which does not need any care.
Where does one find Wisdom, Happiness and Courage? (137)
One finds Wisdom, Happiness, and Courage not through going to look for them. One must follow the cycle of being appreciative and knowing who one is as a person before pursuing these things. Otherwise, they would be unhappy and miserable.
To find Wisdom a person needs to walk a long way, where people has to learn small things at first. Gradually they will reach the wisdom, happiness and courage. When it goes to certain point Wisdom, Happiness and Courage becomes the cycle where there is no start or end.
What is the “Great Nothing?” (143)
The Great Nothing is something. It is what the Taoists call the mysterious something that is important but is actually nothing at all.
b. Great Nothing is known as T’ai Hsu which means Great Secret. Meaning of leading wisdom. Doing nothing is the best, meaning that it gives peace.
Why is an “Empty sort of mind” so valuable according to Taoism? (146-7)
An Empty sort of mind is so valuable according to Taoism because with an Empty Mind, one is able to see the problems set before them and solve the problems wisely. If one does not have an Empty Mind and is constantly worrying about what to do and how to do things, then one cannot accomplish the tasks at hand.
Empty sort of mind equals open minded. In taoism being open minded is very important, reason for this is because it leads people to lean and accept other people’s teaching.
Interpret the following quote: “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.” (148-9)
The quote means that to attain knowledge to your head, you must add things by learning the, and memorizing them. But the way to achieve wisdom is different. One must forget oneself in his senses and begin to see oneself in the Middle of Nothing and joing the Source of All Things.
To learn something you have to be working and learning from others, However to gain wisdom, you have to be openminded and thinking for your self and learning by yourself. Wisdom is a thing which you cannot learn from others but can only recognized by themselves.
Why is the child the highest stage of development? (151)
The child is the highest stage of development because they are the “clear-minded, all seeing Child.” As adults, we lose sight of things that are innately important in life. However, the Child is enlightened and light and filled with happiness.
Children is a stage of “prunes”. Stage where a person aware things, enjoying things what surrounds them. Children can only depend on other people ( having no independence ).
Why may knowledge and cleverness destroy life as we know it? (154)
It only separates people from being openminded and thinking from the real world.
Making a person to think too much and care too little. b. It only separates people from being openminded and thinking from the real world.Making a person to think too much and care too little.
Confucius's Ideal Government - Discussion Questions
If you were a ruler during the time of Confucius, would you have accepted his advice about government? Why?
If I were a ruler during the time of Confucius, I would not have accepted his advice about government. Reason for it is because Confucius was living in Zhou Dynasty which was the time where there were a lot of was a completely different idea, system of government which Zhou Dynasty needed. They didn't need the peaceful government but the government which will win the war.
Do you think any of Confucius's thoughts about government could be useful to government leaders today? If so, what do you think could be helpful? If not, what are some of the most important problems involved in his perspective?
Yes, it is useful. Reason for this is because in Confucius teaching he talked about being open minded, peaceful and giving respect to others. This is what really world need. And the most importantly education. Countries could support Confucius teaching to promote the idea about getting an good education. Reason for this is because some countries need to become more developed or has less motivation towards eduction than South East Asia. Some developed countries need more eduction to young teenagers, in order for the country to get more educated which will be the passage way to making a country becoming more developed and industrialized.
What would Confucius do?
Confucius would pick for the first candidate because he has more talent. It does not matter if he is from poor background. Reason for this is because Confucius believes that everybody should be fairly treated and eduction is the most important thing which human should have. Therefore he will value the smarter person who is poor than not so smart person who is from rich family.
In Confucius teaching he says that respect the parant. Which is a reason why he will ask his parents to move in with his parents because he respects them.
Confucius would advise the people to respect the officials. Reason for this is because one of the ideas which Confucius had was to respect other people even if you don't prefer. Which leads to respect their government. However there is a Mandate of Heaven which teaches that if government is corrupt people have right to abandon them. Therefore Confucius will tell people to respect the government however when it reaches the time when it gets corrupt he will tell people to abandon the government.
If Amanda was Confucius, she would not take the credit for herself, instead she will give the credit to her friend. Reason for this is because Confucius supports the idea of being honest, respect others and also to keep the good relationship between friends. If Amanda takes the credit for herself she is not following the Confucius teachings.
WHAT DO RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY HAVE IN COMMON? And, WHY IS THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IMPORTANT?
Religion and philosophy are both made by people's belief, shared by a lot of people. People believe tend to believe them because they want to achieve a goal. It could be real fact or it can also be fiction. Also these belief tries to spred to other people, who are not part of the belief. Philosophy and religion can be right for some people however ideas of them are not proved to be facts. Those ideas are established mainly by people's belief on it. Most importantly they were the guidance of life.
Reason for it is important is because people can connect with each other by sharing common religion or philosophy. Since they share same belief, it does not matter where a person is from or how they look like, different people can unite. Also religion and philosophy both leads people to have goals in their life. People relie on them.
Buddism's impact on me and my family
I was Buddhist, I am still buddhist, however I really don’t really do anything like buddhist.
I don’t go to temple.
When I go to temple i didn’t know why I went there and why I am going there.
so I am not a Buddhist but I am because I chose to be. Reason for this is because I feel so bad if I don’t go there, because my whole family is buddhist, it’s is actually our family’s tradition. I was getting pressured that I don’t become buddhist. I am getting pressured.
I don’t think that what I doing is right, I am in a dark where I don’t know what I can do.
Information
"Meditative Practices In Tendai Buddhism." Tendai Teachings. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <www.tendai-lotus.org/meditative-practices-in-tendai-buddhism.html >.
Reed, Robert, Mar 30, and 2006. "Buddhist Channel | Buddhism News, Headlines | Arts & Culture | The splendor of Tendai art." Buddhist Channel | Buddhism News, Headlines | Bhutan: Reds all for green cremation. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=5,2491,0,0,1,0>.
"Tendai Marathon Monks - The Run of A Lifetime." HowToBeFit.com. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <www.howtobefit.com/tendai-marathon-monks.htm>.
"Tendai Teachings." Tendai Buddhist Institute. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <www.tendai.org/index.php?id=44>.
Photos
"A Parable — an Expedient Mean for Spiritual Cultivation." Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit's Home Page on Shaolin Kungfu, Chi Kung, Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and Zen. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.shaolin.org/zen/parable.html>.
"Fudo Myoo - deity associated with the precepts of Tendai Buddhism." Buddhist Monastery - California Tendai. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://caltendai.org/FudoMyoo.html>.
"Happy Birthday to You | Amritavarsham50." Amritavarsham 50 | Amritavarsham.orgAmritavarsham.org | Embracing the world for peace and harmony. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.amritavarsham.org/50/39>.
"Zen & Buddhism: Sutras, The Threads of Buddha's Teachings - ZENGUIDE.COM." Zen Guide: The Comprehensive Guide to Zen & Buddhism - Principles, Discussion, Practice, Community and Resources including RSS feeds. - ZENGUIDE.COM. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.zenguide.com/principles/sutras/>.
B Kwon Hyuk Joo Unite III Ancient History
Current Even in East Asia -
READING 4: KOREAN CHRISTIANITY UNDER JAPANESE OCCUPATION
1. Why might Korea under the Confucian Chosŏn dynasty have been an especially fertile
ground for Christianity to take root?
Confucian Choson was going to be a hard life for "chun min"s who are low class people. Chun mins will look for opportunity to improve their life and want equality. Men in Choson dynasty was considered to be more superior than women. Men had so much advantage in life. Women wanted equality therefore chun mins and women supported christianity, which had equality. This was the reason why Christianity started to spread.
2. What other religion that existed in Korea might have appealed to lower classes in a similar
manner as Christianity? How might this other religion have been hindered in attracting new
followers?
People would have thought that they would want a Taoism ( wanting the wu wei ) since the time was very corrupt by changing the dynasty, low classes would have serious damage. Therefore they would want to taoism wanting to be relaxed. Also they would want to strong government to never get corrupt or never to fall down such as legalism.
3. Why did the government care which religion people practiced?
Reason for this is because if people started supporting christianity even more there will be an revolution low class people wanting equality which wouldn't be good in Korean government which had social level system.
Chart Oct/11/2011
YI Sung Hun ( Peter ) brought Christianity in Korea. - He sat up the first church.
Shintoism chart.
QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS
1. In Han Fei's ideal state what is the supreme governing authority, the will of the ruler or the law?
Han Feil's ideal state is about the idea of government,law and leader being very strong. Being strong, making nobody to go against the ruler, ruler making the laws, not allowing anybody to work alone ( meaning nobody to make up power for themselves. Also to have strong country. Laws are only made by the ruler and it makes the ruler and the country to be strong and covers the bad look of the country and the ruler. If laws are strong the country is strong, if laws are weak the country is weak and there will be people who tries to be powerful. Making the law powerful and make the law go into people's mind so that there will be nobody trying to gain power. Also to have the strong power government and leader, leader is a picked by their capability. Law is grabbing the people tight.
"Any ruler able to expel private crookedness and uphold public law, finds the people safe and the state in order; and any ruler able to expunge private action and act on public law, finds his army strong and his enemy weak. So, find out men following the discipline of laws and regulations, and place chem above the body of officials. Then the sovereign cannot be deceived by anybody with fraud and falsehood...."
2. What are the "Two Handles" and how important are they to a legalist state? Why must the sovereign never surrender control over the two handles?
"Two Handles" means chastisement and commendation, way how ruler controls his people with power. It is important to legalist state because it means to inflict death or torture on people who needed to be taken care of (culprits), and to reward, encourage people who deserves, ( commendation ). It forms an order and to straighten people's mind to get motivated to be commendation who get's reward rather than culprits who get's torture and death. The sovereign should never surrender control over the two handles because it's the key element which keeps people in order. With out two handles the ruler will have no power since nobody is going to be afraid of going against the ruler. He will immediately lose power.
3. What roles do individuality and private initiative play in Han Fei's ideal state?
Individuality and private initiative play will allow people to make people not only get responsibility on their life on following government law, if they don't their going to be one who will get punished. People will be talking care of themselves more, and think about their act before they proceed to action. People will get a straight mind not wanting to be the culprits.
4. Why do you think Legalism appealed to some people?
I think that Legalism appealed to people because it formed some kind of order in society. People following the law. People who are living with bad people ( criminal ) under so law, those people will get appealed to Legalism since they will get separated from those bad people. Also it will be appealed to rulers who wants the strong powerful law. Also people will want it because they will get power leader and powerful country.
5. Imagine a series of conversations among a Daoist, a Confucian, and a Legalist. How would each respond on the following issues: What is the purpose of good government? What role does morality play in formulating law? What are the qualities of a superior ruler? The proposition "Might makes right."
Confucian will say that good government is people obeying the government. However if government is not good enough people can turn back on them. In morality play in law will be effective since people have to respecting other people. Such as husband should respect wife and wife should respect husband therefore the law could be no connection between other people being more than friends. The qualities of superior ruler will be a person who is very smart ( does not matter if the person was not from noble family ). Person who can lead people and make the country smart enough to keep the country away from getting corrupted ( no crime ).
Daoist will say that good government is a government which makes people living in relaxed and the government which makes the world flow like a cycle of water. Giving everybody a chance to achieve what they want. Not trying to make people struggle in their life to change things. Morality will be people just following their life path with out changing the way. Meaning just to follow laws, and laws. For qualities for superior ruler must be wise, who tries to make the country strong and organized but not a person who will struggle and try to change the world and person who does not have greed. Such as the middle path in Buddhism.
Legalist will believe that the government with strong and organized law will be powerful. Also a government with punishment and reward to people who deserves. About the morality, it will be very straight. People who are criminals receive death and torture, people who did honorable act will get rewarded. To be a leader, leader needs to be strong and smart, and also chosen by people. The leader should be very powerful on his people with no mercy. Leader who is very sharp Also leader should motivate people to have a responsible life.
Assignment 2
Go to the Essential Quotes of Taoism above and read through them. Be sure to note down answers to the following questions. (Be prepared to share your answers):1. In Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?
This quote reminds me of Christianity. Having an idea saying that mystery of Mysterious is the passage way of indescribable marvels. There are also few other parts from Tao te Ching. Tao te Ching talks about the idea of earth and heaven. How the space between earth and heaven was "inexhaustible". Also how people should not be selfish for their own good, if we don't be selfish there is peace."The reason why heaven and earth can live long and endure is that they do not live only for themselves. Therefore, they can produce perpetually." This idea is similar to an idea of people loving and thinking about each other.
"If one is a king, one can, be a king." This is simlar to Church idea of pope. Pope was the person who can only talk to god.
2. See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?
This passage gives us a good idea what Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have in common. "Not paying attention to the desirable keeps the hearts of the people from disaster." Also idea of if people stop being selfish there will me peace. Meaning to get rid of mind wanting something and there will be peace. Similar to the idea of middle path in Buddhism. "Always cause the people to be without knowledge or desires; Cause the intelligent ones to not dare act." This is an idea of Taoism, not trying to solve with knowledge. Also and idea of respecting men, which is a simliar idea to Confucianism.
3. In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?
I think this passage is mainly trying to say empty your mind, getting rid of stress in our life, not thinking but just to rest our mind. Without a lot of stress and thinking about our life our body will be able to become stress free meaning being health, which is reflected on the passage "strengthening the bones? I also think that this passage means to gain wisdom.
Also part of this sentence I believe that this is some how related to "The Wu Wei". Just leaving things where it should be and eventually problem will be solved. Idea of having relaxed mind.
4. Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.
Confucius government was more open minded in a sense. Meaning that it was pro- to every body instead of pro- to only rich people.
Confucius government believed on everybody is equal. And everybody is good according to Mencius and mandate of heaven. Even if a person was poor but if the person was smart; the person should have an opportunity to be rich or achieve their goals. If poor is smarter than rich than poor is superior than rich. Also Mencius said that everybody is equal, meaning that if there was a crime in a country then it's not the criminals' fault but the world is corrupted. Also if government is corrupted people have right to abandon the government.
I believe that Lao Tzu's government idea is not open minded and only beneficial to few people. They are talking about how novel should be novel for long time, rich should be rich for long time and how few people can achieve glory. There is a part "The poorer the people; The more sharpened tools the people have" this gives me an idea that poor people are like tools. This government system sounds like Communism ( corrupted one ).
5. Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious?
I believe that Lao Tzu is trying to convey the idea of going beyond what we have now. "Being frugal ... extend one's territory" This is meaning not only to expand our territory but power. "lead... is sure to end in death" I observe is quote in many ways. One of them is saying that even if you are king or rich you will eventually die. The other idea is inorder to be king or rich you have to have a risk of dying. Dying from losing everything they have or dying from others who wants to "extend one's territory". Lao Tzu in my opinion he is trying to say that people who are ambitious, try to achieve their dream as much as they can. However do not go of limit or try to achieve dream which a person could not handle.
Assignment 1
Taoism
Butterfly is like an idea of cycle where it goes through changes. Butterfly is first caterpillar and it becomes butterfly. This stage is repeated forever just like an cycle.
Water cycle is important, it's idea is very important. Idea of water going around and around, rain, going to ground, evaporate and rain again. This gives an idea of how human's life goes round and round. Meaning that human's life is like water cycle.
This is an idea that life is like an cycle. Poor could be rich, rich could be poor. Your Rank in life is going to change. Even if your are in royal family some day you could be in low class family.
Reader is trying to say that human's life is in cycle. Everything is going to change, nothing is going to stay the same. Just like an Butterfly
09/26/11 Tao of Pooh
Tao of Pooh Questions
- What is the significance of the painting Hoff describes named The Vinegar Tasters? (2)
- The painting Vinegar Tasters did not just signify three men tasting vinegar. The expressions on their faces represented the Three Teachings of China. The vinegar they are tasting represents the Essence of Life. The three masters are K’ung Fu-tse, Buddha, and Lao-tse.
- What is the theme of life according to Hoff’s interpretation of Taoism? (5-6)
- The theme of life according to Hoff's interpretations of Taoism is to work with life’s circumstances, Taoist understanding changes what others may perceive as negative into something positive.
- How does Hoff explain the “uncarved block” metaphor? (10)
- Hoff explains the "uncarved block” by not getting into details because he does not want to confuse matters any further. Also, he says it would only be an intellectual idea that could be left on the intellectual level and ignored. Things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed.
- What is the secret message of the “uncarved block?” (2)
a. The secret message is not to think too much and get stressed out, but to indulge and enjoy life.- What was the main conflict between the Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff? (24)
a. The Confucianists were bunch of philosophers hoping to reach jurisprudential perfection, and the Taoists thought that was just too much.- Which of Milne’s characters represent Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff?
- Rabbit, owl, and the Eeyore represents Cofuciust. They acquire knowledge in sake of acquiring knowledge. However, the taoist, pooh, is simple minded and lives life.
- What is Hoff’s opinion of Confucianist scholars? (26)
- Busy ants spoiling the picnic of life, rushing back and forth to pick up the bits and pieces dropped from above.
- What does Hoff say about knowledge vs. experience? (29)
- He says that the two are not necessarily the same thing. The knowledge that comes from experience is more valuable that the knowledge itself.
- What do most scholars blame for problems in the world? Why isn’t it justified? (32)
- Most scholars blame the mind of the Uncarved Block known as Ignorance for problems in the world. It is not justified because the problems are cause itself, either directly or indirectly, through its own limitations, nearsightedness, or neglect.
- What is the difference between “cleverness” and “Inner Nature?” (38)
- The “cleverness” has a limitation with inaccuracy of passing time as it does not look very deeply into things. Cleverness does not make someone unique. The “Inner Nature”refers to the idea that everything has its own place. When people realize and respect their Inner Nature, they know where they belong. This is beyond the intellectual mind of cleverness.
- Why is it important to discern your own Inner Nature? (41)
- It is important to recognize one’s Inner Nature because it teaches them where they belong and where they do not fit in. A positive factor for an individual can be a disaster for another individual. Therefore, it is important to know where one belongs.
- Explain Hoff’s interpretation of the Chinese quote: “One disease, long life; No disease, short life.” (48)
- Hoff interpret this as those who can identify their problems and take care of them will live a longer life than the others who believe that they are healthy and do not have any weaknesses. In other words, weakness can be an important factor in a life.
- What does Hoff mean when he states that we must learn to “work with Things As They Are?” (50)
- Hoff means that one must face and realize their limitations and weakness. One must work with these things which means to accept them rather than working against them which is rejecting one’s weakness and limitations. One’s limitations can be one’s strengths.
- What happens to people who do not listen to their Inner Nature? (57)
- If people do not listen to their Inner Nature, they will not understand themselves. Hence, they will have low self-esteem and be dependent on others.
- What is the Way of Self-Reliance? (57-8)
- The way of Self Reliance is realizing what we’ve got to work with and what works best for us. This may possibly include identifying the weakness and struggles we have and working with them.
- How can we change ourselves effectively through the principles of Taoism? (58)
- We can effectively use the principles of Taoism by not getting rid of our weakness and things that we don’t like. Rather, by changing them into other things or using them in beneficial ways can be effective.
- What is the Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way” according to Hoff? (67-8)
- The Wu Wei literally means "without doing, causing, or making." Basically, this means that you should not meddle in other people's business. In order to achieve Wu Wei, one must learn to work with one's "Inner Nature" and reach the effortless level with natural laws.
- How does the quote, “Tao does not do, but nothing is not done,” explain Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way?” (70)
- This quote explains the Wu Wei by saying that even though Tao does not do anything, it does not mean nothing is accomplished. By not reacting and doing nothing, Tao achieves peace with the natural laws and goes with the flow of things. He does not force anything unnaturally and lets things work in their own way. In that way, he achieves what needs to be done.
- How does Tai Chi reflect Wu Wei or Taoism as a martial art? (87-8)
- Tai Chi reflects Wu Wei and Taoism as a martial art by following similar principles. For example, in Tai Chi, one’s objective is to weaken the opponent by reflecting back the energy sent by the opponent. It is not a physical combat, but rather doing nothing and going with the flow of things to accomplish the defeat of an opponent.
- Are you a Bisy Backson? (94)
- I guess you could say that I am a Bisy Backson in some ways, but not entirely. I don’t regard myself as someone who spends time trying to save time, but rather someone who lives to make the best of things in life and keep looking forward. I don’t believe that “progress” is the only way to move forward in life. I value development as a person as well, not just material goods and physical progress like a Bisy Backson.
- What is the Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff? (103-104)
- The Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff is that first, the Miserable Puritans came and worked themselves to death and were succeeded by the Restless Pioneers who too worked themselves to the bone thus introducing the Lonely Cowboys who were always off looking for something in the distance. And from these ancestors came the modern day Bisy Backson.
- How does the Bisy Backson waste time by trying to save it? (108-109)
- The Bisy Backson wastes time by trying to save it by not realizing the fact that time cannot be “saved.” Time can only be spent. By trying to save time, he wastes even more of it because he does not get as much as he put into it. For example, if he spent 24 hours trying to save 3 hours then he would have wasted a total of 21 hours.
- What is the Youthful Immortal? (108-9)
- The Youthful Immortals are Taoist people of all age levels who are known for their youthful characteristics in attitude, appearance, and energy. Instead of living only 40 years, these Youthful Immortals could live up to 80 to 90 years.
- What makes us happy in life the goals or the process we go through to reach the goals? Why? (111)
- The thing that makes us happy in life is the process which we go through to reach the goals because the goals that we reach do not keep us happy in the long run. For example, with the honey example, the final enjoyment of eating the honey at the end was not what makes Pooh happy the most. It was the enjoyment of the process that he went through to get that honey that made him the most happy in life. The taste of honey does not last forever, but the experience of getting the honey does.
- What is the significance of The Stonecutter? (118-9)
- The significance of The Stone cutter is that you should be satisfied with the life that you are given. You shouldn’t pursue something “greater” than yourself because you are greater than yourself already.
- The significance of The stonecutter is that knowing how to value their own benefits are going to take some time.
- Explain the significance of the following line from the Tao Te Ching: “From caring comes courage.” (128)
- The significance of this line is that courage does not come from the knowledge that you possess. Courage comes from the character of the heart, not from the cleverness in one’s head.
- People who cares a lot has a lot of wisdom, meaning that people who does not care are people with out wisdom. Unlike knowledge which does not need any care.
- Where does one find Wisdom, Happiness and Courage? (137)
- One finds Wisdom, Happiness, and Courage not through going to look for them. One must follow the cycle of being appreciative and knowing who one is as a person before pursuing these things. Otherwise, they would be unhappy and miserable.
- To find Wisdom a person needs to walk a long way, where people has to learn small things at first. Gradually they will reach the wisdom, happiness and courage. When it goes to certain point Wisdom, Happiness and Courage becomes the cycle where there is no start or end.
- What is the “Great Nothing?” (143)
- The Great Nothing is something. It is what the Taoists call the mysterious something that is important but is actually nothing at all.
b. Great Nothing is known as T’ai Hsu which means Great Secret. Meaning of leading wisdom. Doing nothing is the best, meaning that it gives peace.- Why is an “Empty sort of mind” so valuable according to Taoism? (146-7)
- An Empty sort of mind is so valuable according to Taoism because with an Empty Mind, one is able to see the problems set before them and solve the problems wisely. If one does not have an Empty Mind and is constantly worrying about what to do and how to do things, then one cannot accomplish the tasks at hand.
- Empty sort of mind equals open minded. In taoism being open minded is very important, reason for this is because it leads people to lean and accept other people’s teaching.
- Interpret the following quote: “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.” (148-9)
- The quote means that to attain knowledge to your head, you must add things by learning the, and memorizing them. But the way to achieve wisdom is different. One must forget oneself in his senses and begin to see oneself in the Middle of Nothing and joing the Source of All Things.
- To learn something you have to be working and learning from others, However to gain wisdom, you have to be openminded and thinking for your self and learning by yourself. Wisdom is a thing which you cannot learn from others but can only recognized by themselves.
- Why is the child the highest stage of development? (151)
- The child is the highest stage of development because they are the “clear-minded, all seeing Child.” As adults, we lose sight of things that are innately important in life. However, the Child is enlightened and light and filled with happiness.
- Children is a stage of “prunes”. Stage where a person aware things, enjoying things what surrounds them. Children can only depend on other people ( having no independence ).
- Why may knowledge and cleverness destroy life as we know it? (154)
- It only separates people from being openminded and thinking from the real world.
Making a person to think too much and care too little. b. It only separates people from being openminded and thinking from the real world.Making a person to think too much and care too little.Confucius's Ideal Government - Discussion Questions
What would Confucius do?
Confucius and Confucianism
Notes on Confucius and Confucianism.
Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before?
Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before?
Reading Karma in the Jatakas.WHAT DO RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY HAVE IN COMMON? And, WHY IS THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IMPORTANT?
Religion and philosophy are both made by people's belief, shared by a lot of people. People believe tend to believe them because they want to achieve a goal. It could be real fact or it can also be fiction. Also these belief tries to spred to other people, who are not part of the belief. Philosophy and religion can be right for some people however ideas of them are not proved to be facts. Those ideas are established mainly by people's belief on it. Most importantly they were the guidance of life.
Reason for it is important is because people can connect with each other by sharing common religion or philosophy. Since they share same belief, it does not matter where a person is from or how they look like, different people can unite. Also religion and philosophy both leads people to have goals in their life. People relie on them.
Buddism's impact on me and my family
I don’t think that what I doing is right, I am in a dark where I don’t know what I can do.
Buddhism Sect Video - Tendai
Comparison Chart of Buddhist School -
Bibliography
Information
"Meditative Practices In Tendai Buddhism." Tendai Teachings. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <www.tendai-lotus.org/meditative-practices-in-tendai-buddhism.html >.
Reed, Robert, Mar 30, and 2006. "Buddhist Channel | Buddhism News, Headlines | Arts & Culture | The splendor of Tendai art." Buddhist Channel | Buddhism News, Headlines | Bhutan: Reds all for green cremation. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=5,2491,0,0,1,0>.
"Shingon and Tendai Buddhism." RE-XS for Higher Education. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/easia/shingon.html>.
"Tendai (T'ien Tai) Buddhism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the facts on the world's religions. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/sects/tendai.htm>.
"Tendai Marathon Monks - The Run of A Lifetime." HowToBeFit.com. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <www.howtobefit.com/tendai-marathon-monks.htm>.
"Tendai Teachings." Tendai Buddhist Institute. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <www.tendai.org/index.php?id=44>.
Photos
"A Parable — an Expedient Mean for Spiritual Cultivation." Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit's Home Page on Shaolin Kungfu, Chi Kung, Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and Zen. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.shaolin.org/zen/parable.html>.
"Blue Lotus – Buddha – Diamond Sutra Quote « Buddha on the Wall." Buddha on the Wall. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://buddhaonthewall.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/blue-lotus-buddha-diamond-sutra-quote/>.
"British Museum - Search results for "Tendai"." British Museum - Welcome to the British Museum. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_results.aspx?searchText=Tendai&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&numpages=10&images=on&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx¤tPage=3>.
"Buddhist Monastery - California Tendai Photo Page." Buddhist Monastery - California Tendai. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://caltendai.org/Photos.html>.
Discipline. "The characterisitcs of Japanese Tendai." JSTOR. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.jstor.org/pss/30233978>.
"Fudo Myoo - deity associated with the precepts of Tendai Buddhism." Buddhist Monastery - California Tendai. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://caltendai.org/FudoMyoo.html>.
"Happy Birthday to You | Amritavarsham50." Amritavarsham 50 | Amritavarsham.orgAmritavarsham.org | Embracing the world for peace and harmony. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.amritavarsham.org/50/39>.
Movement. "Miidera Temple Photographic Print at Art.com." Art.com - Posters, Art Prints, and Framed Art Leader. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://www.art.com/products/p13711035-sa-i2716926/miidera-temple.htm>.
"Temple Paintings." Mahayana Art. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.bbbudart.com/tem.htm>.
"The strategy of the Lotus Sutra." Buddhist Centre. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <www.buddhistcentre.net/information/topic_021.php>.
"The Taima Mandala." Japan: Life and Religion. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/07/01/the-taima-mandala/http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/07/01/the-taima-mandala/ >.
"Yahoo! Grupos ." Yahoo! Grupos - Associe-se a ou crie grupos, clubes, fóruns e comunidades. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://br.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/RP-CRJ_BSGI/message/281>.
"Zen & Buddhism: Sutras, The Threads of Buddha's Teachings - ZENGUIDE.COM." Zen Guide: The Comprehensive Guide to Zen & Buddhism - Principles, Discussion, Practice, Community and Resources including RSS feeds. - ZENGUIDE.COM. Web. 5 Sept. 2011. <http://www.zenguide.com/principles/sutras/>.
"Honen's Early Life and Training in Tendai Buddhism." Jodo Shu Research Institute. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://www.jsri.jp/English/Honen/LIFE/training.html>.